Christians account for about five percent of Syria's population, and they have remained largely neutral or supportive of the regime since the outbreak of the uprising against the government in early 2011.

But the Syrian opposition also includes prominent Christian members, including George Sabra, a long-time dissident who was named interim head of the opposition Syrian National Coalition on Monday.

Bishop Yuhanna Ibrahim and Bishop Boulos Yazigi, who were seized on Monday... were already at Saint Elias cathedral in Aleppo.